A long, long, time ago, I would design all alone and that felt like a very dark place. I remember creating wedding flowers in a private hell!!! I did not have any friends in the industry, there was no twitter, facebook, instagram, or Chapel Designers. Today young new designers have a way out of the dark flower room or hell. I wonder how many of the newbie designers could last just one day in their flower shop without social media, a sounding board, or immediate applause for their creation. Just four short years ago I was all alone in my shop and I was there for over 16 years. I can’t even guess how many miserable lonely nights I stayed up like the mad hatter trying to complete an order or a wedding. Some nights I literally worked through the night feeling as if I was all alone. Little did I know that other designers were out there suffering from the same stresses and fears as me. Those days were incredibly painful. As many designers know this job is not easy. There are countless hours, anxieties, and fears that go along with this job. Back in the olden days I suffered alone. My world today is infinitely easier because my creations are celebrated, shared, and enjoyed, my hell is gone. Primarily because I have friends to commiserate with, and learn from, and cry with. I have just spent the most remarkable week with my flower friends. Our group is an unlikely clan, I am not quite sure how in the heck we all got together but I am certain it is because of social media and the need for us to get out of our dark, dark, flower hole. Who would have dreamed that you could meet some of your best friends on Twitter or Facebook. Who would have believed that blogging, and social media, would give me the inspiration to stick with this career, to reach a little higher, and to find others in my craft. I am serious, four years ago seems like a very dark, dark, place. Because of social media I have an immediate sounding board or answers to the questions that used to haunt me like, Is this pretty? Where do I get this? Why do I do this to myself? Will I ever get anywhere with this career? And my all time favorite was, I wonder if I should keep doing this!!! Now I know I am mildly and beautifully twisted like all the other floral designers out there. I like the light, I like my friends!!!
Many thanks to the designers that have come to stay with me this year. I am beyond thrilled to know that you have enjoyed my home, the food, the flowers, the kids, the chaos. My life and my art is incredibly more wonderful because of you.
Jennifer Ederer : Modern Day Floral
Daevid Reed : Daevids Of Norfolk
Isha Foss : Isha Foss Events
Trish Van De Merkt : Formerly Grapevine Floral. (something new is around the bend)
Alicia Broehl : Alicia Jayne Florals
Alexandra Jusino : Exquisite Designs
Chuck Graham : Lead Designer and editor of Flirty Fleurs Blog
Alicia Schwede : Owner Bella Fiore and editor of Flirty Fleurs Blog
Carol Young: Celebrations Floral
Peggy Meyer : Celebrations Floral
Jeanette Kleitz : True Florette
Morgan Walker : Petals and Hedges
Yep, all of the above Chapel Designers have come to see me this year and many of them have stayed right here at hotel Chapple. Apparently Evan and I have an additional talent of making people feel right at home. So I want to know, who is coming to see me next. Love my Chapel Designers.
Courtenay Lambert Florals
Carol Young from Celebrations Florals
Grace Chapple and Alicia Schwede
Peggy Meyer, Celebrations Florals
Alicia Schwede, my dad Albert Heider, Alexandra Jusino, Chuck Graham
Trish Van De Merkt, Chuck Graham, baby Grace, Holly Chapple, Alicia Scwede, Alexandra Jusino.
Peggy Meyer, Celebrations Florals, and Holly Chapple.
Morgan Walker, Holly Chapple, Alicia Broehl, Trish Van De Merkt